Editing Battle

{{about|the mode in the [[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart series]]|the mode in Super Mario Bros. 3|[[Mario Bros. (Super Mario Bros. 3)]]|the type of minigame in the [[Mario Party (series)|Mario Party series]]|[[Minigame#Battle_minigames|Minigame § Battle minigames]]}}

'''Battle''' (also known as '''Battle Mode''') is a game mode featured in the ''[[Mario Kart (series)|Mario Kart]]'' series. It was included as an alternative for regular races in order to add variety. Unlike regular races, Battle mode takes place in specially designed [[:Category:Battle courses|battle courses]], which are flat, enclosed arenas that are smaller than normal racetracks, but still contain various obstacles, and come in different layouts. An exception is ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'', where the battle takes place in select racetracks instead of battle courses. However, ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' returns to the traditional arena-based battle. ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''{{'}}s battle courses are unique in their feature as that they change throughout the battle, either periodically ([[Thwomp Desert]]) or once for all ([[Block Plaza]], [[Delfino Pier]], and [[Chain Chomp Wheel]]). The only course in the game to which this does not apply is [[Funky Stadium]].

Originally, in the first four games, Battle mode is only available in multiplayer. Starting in ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', Battle mode can be a single player mode with computer players or a multiplayer mode with or without them. Starting with ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', there are usually at least two different battle options.

Since ''Mario Kart Wii'', Battle mode has a different countdown sound at the start; instead of the regular beeps heard in normal races, they are replaced by air horns, with the only exception being ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''.

The items that are usable change as well. Items such as the [[Bullet Bill]], [[Chain Chomp]], [[Crazy Eight]], and [[Spiny Shell (blue)|Spiny Shell]] (except in ''Mario Kart Wii'') do not appear in Battle mode, and [[Lightning]] also does not appear in Balloon Battle or Coin Runners (both except in ''Mario Kart Wii''). On the other hand, the [[Cape Feather|Feather]] in ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' and ''Mario Kart Tour'' is exclusive to Battle mode.

In all games, the engine class of Battle mode is fixed to 50cc. An exception is the Renegade Roundup mode from ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' where it is increased to 100cc.

Battle mode was added into ''Mario Kart Tour'' in the [[Battle Tour]], in October 2022, where alongside being available as a multiplayer mode, battle courses can also be found as part of [[cup]]s. All battle courses use {{classic link|SNES|Battle Course 1}}'s music from ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' instead of their original music tracks or renditions thereof.

Though a staple for the series, Battle mode is absent from the ''Mario Kart Arcade GP'' series and ''[[Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit]]''.

==Modes==

Balloon Battle debuted in ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' and has appeared in all console installments since then. In this mode, players must use items to hit the opposing player to pop one of the three balloons. If all balloons are popped, the player is out and termed as "sidelined." It is the only gameplay mode present in the mode, where it was titled "Battle Mode." Later installments change the mechanics, such as being based on balloons popped rather than being the last man standing.

''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', ''[[Mario Kart: Super Circuit]]'', and ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'' have four-player support, allowing up to four players to battle, unlike ''Super Mario Kart'', where it is limited to two players. The latter game's LAN Mode even allows up to eight players (sixteen with Co-op Play) to play in Battle mode. In ''Mario Kart 64'' and ''Mario Kart: Super Circuit'', once a player loses all of their balloons, they turn into a [[Mini Bomb Kart]] or a [[Bob-omb]], respectively. In this form, they can ram into other players to blow them up and pop their balloons, although after doing so in ''Mario Kart 64'', they do not respawn. Getting hit by items does not cause it to explode.

''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' allows players to battle in two teams or in a free-for-all match. The time limit of the match is reduced to two minutes, and when losing all balloons, players now lose 1 to 3 points instead of a single one as in ''Mario Kart Wii''. In addition, any vehicle can be used for Battle mode, like in ''Mario Kart: Double Dash!!'', and unlike ''Mario Kart DS'' and ''Mario Kart Wii'', which only let players use the [[Standard Kart]] and [[Standard Bike]] in the mode. Like in ''Mario Kart DS'', there are eight different colors the balloons can be. Those colors are black, blue, cyan, green, purple, red, white, and yellow.

''[[Mario Kart 8]]''{{'}}s battles take place on regular racecourses throughout the game alongside the rules changing again: it combines the survival mechanic used in older games and the timed point-based setup of the previous two installments. Players start with three points, and losing a balloon will deduct one point. If all balloons are popped, they are out of the game, but in team mode or multiplayer, players can still participate as a ghost and cannot gain more points. Appearing transparent on the player's screen but invisible to everyone else, they can still use items to harm the other players, and can still win if the player manages to reach enough points prior to losing all balloons. Balloon Battle is the only Battle mode option available in ''Mario Kart 8''. As a result of some of these modifications, the Battle mode in ''Mario Kart 8'' has been criticized for the lack of original battle stages.<ref>Mc Shea, Tom (May 15, 2014). [https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/mario-kart-8/1900-6415760/ Mario Kart 8 Review]. ''GameSpot''. Retrieved May 22, 2017. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140624181547/http://www.gamespot.com:80/reviews/mario-kart-8/1900-6415760 Archived] June 24, 2014, 18:15:47 UTC via Wayback Machine.)</ref> In this game, when playing with no teams, there are twelve different colors the balloons can be. These colors are black, blue, brown, cyan, green, lime, orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. The balloons also have the ''Mario Kart'' logo on them.

''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'' changes the Battle mode rules to the setup last used in ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'' with new battle arenas and some changes. Just like in ''Mario Kart Wii'' and ''Mario Kart 7'', Balloon Battle uses the timed point-based scoring system rather than the last-man-standing formula and can be played either in teams or free-for-all. There are also now 1.5 seconds of invincibility frames, unlike the Wii U version. Each player now starts out with five balloons rather than the traditional three, and losing all balloons halves the player's points, regardless of how many points they have. The player respawns with three balloons instead of five. The details of the balloons are the same as in ''Mario Kart 8'' (including the twelve colors).

''[[Mario Kart Tour]]''{{'}}s rendition of Balloon Battle is similar to that of ''Mario Kart 8''{{'}}s, where losing all of one's balloons will result in being eliminated, but there is still a time limit present. In this game, much like how races only have two laps instead of three, players only start with two balloons instead of three in Battle mode. Once a player loses all of their balloons, their kart will be put on a [[Lift]] that circles the perimeter of the stage. When the player hits an [[Item Box]], they can still throw items at opponents from offstage. This is only possible for the player themselves in multiplayer, as the match automatically ends when the player is eliminated in single-player. Like in ''Mario Kart DS'' and ''Mario Kart 7'', there are eight different colors the balloons can be. These colors are blue, cyan, green, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow.

Yoshi and Bowser MK64.png|Artwork for Battle mode

MK64Battle.jpg|Artwork for Battle mode, with a [[Mini Bomb Kart]]

MK64 BigDonut.png|Battle mode

MK64 Skyscraper.png|Battle mode

MK64 DoubleDeck.png|Battle mode

Mario vs Bowser MKSC.png|Artwork for Battle mode

MKSC_Battle_Course_1_Screenshot.png|Battle mode

MKSC_Battle_Course_2_Screenshot.png|Battle mode

MKSC Link Battle Screenshot.png|Battle mode

MKSC_Battle_Course_4_Screenshot.png|Battle mode

MK8_Battle_Mode.png|Battle mode

MK8ToadHarborBattleCourse.jpg|Battle mode

MK8 Yoshi Balloon Battle.jpg|Battle mode

MK8DonutPlains3BattleCourse.jpeg|Battle mode

ToadsTurnpikeBattleCourse.jpg|Battle mode

MK8SherbetLandBattleCourse.jpg|Battle mode

MooMooMeadowsMK8Battle.jpg|Battle mode

MK8YoshiValleyBattleCourse.jpg|Battle mode

MK8D Isabelle Inkling and Link.png|Battle mode

MK8D King Boo Battle Mode Screenshot.png|Battle mode

MK8D Urchin Underpass Inkstriker.png|Battle mode

MK8D Inkling Colors Screenshot.png|Battle mode

|SpaM=Portmanteau of "Bob-omb" and ''bombardeo'' ("bombardment")